Since 2014, I've posted my favorite songs of the year on this blog. I assembled countdowns of my favorite songs for years prior to starting this blog, however. Here's a look back at my favorite songs of the year for the 10 years that predate my blog:
2013: My #1 song pick: Forever-Haim
(This is what pop music should sound like. Three sisters execute a great hook, as they also do on "Falling" and "The Wire." I've read they have a new release due in 2017, so I look forward to it.)
Other worthy contenders: Build Me Up From Bones-Sarah Jarosz, Gently Down The Stream-Hem, Heston's-The 442s, The Stars Are Ours Tonight-Mayer Hawthorne
2012: My #1 song pick: Jacaranda Bougainvillea (Live)-Al Jarreau & The Metropole Orkest
(Jarreau sings encouragingly about trees and flowers as metaphors for hope; the orchestra enhances the song's optimistic vibe.)
Other worthy contenders: Hearts And Bones (Live)-Paul Simon, I'm A Memory-Sara Watkins, Planets-Kate Rusby featuring Sarah Jarosz, Run Run Run-The Explorers Club
2011: My #1 song pick: Ring Them Bells-Sarah Jarosz
(A well-sung, well-played version of a Bob Dylan tune. Erin Bode sings a strong version of it in concert, as well.)
Other worthy contenders: Daybreak-Sierra Hull, Fall Right In-Beach Fossils, Send Somebody-Colin Hay
2010: My #1 song pick: The Mountain-Erin Bode
(One of Bode's most memorable hooks, and some impressive whistling, as well. She has closed her concerts with this tune often.)
Other worthy contenders: Either Side Of The World-Crowded House, Equilibrium-Hot Club Of Detroit, Stones In The River-Carrie Newcomer
2009: My #1 song pick: Prophets-A.C. Newman
(One of the most effective uses of music I've seen in a sitcom; it's used in "The Leap," one of my favorite episodes of "How I Met Your Mother." If you enjoy seeing a likable group of people take literal and metaphorical leaps in their lives, watch that episode, and appreciate how well "Prophets" underscores the final scene.)
Other worthy contenders: Cinema Paradiso-Chris Botti featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Cold Cold Heart (Live)-Norah Jones, How Not To Behave-Christine Kane
2008: My #1 song pick: Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore-The High Kings
(A fitting tribute to one's homeland, sung with epic grandeur.)
Other worthy contenders: Born At The Right Time-Erin Bode, Sweater Song-Erin Bode, There Is A Tree-Carrie Newcomer
2007: My #1 song pick: Even A Child-Crowded House
(One of the band's most radio-friendly hooks.)
Other worthy contenders: I Will Rise Up-Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Pick Up The Pieces-Money Mark
2006: My #1 song pick: The Long Way Around-Dixie Chicks
(Great lyrics about following your own path, even when it's not
conventional or popular. Great, "Rumours"-era, Fleetwood Mac-style
harmonizing, as well.)
Other worthy contenders: Funny Little Frog-Belle and Sebastian, Holiday-Erin Bode
2005: My #1 song pick: Sitting In Limbo-Thea Gilmore
(Sometimes, a song resonates with you at just the right time. When I
first heard it in late 2005, I was on the cusp of moving, but I didn't
know where yet. The lyric, "Sitting here in limbo, knowing that I have
to go," stayed with me. Gilmore makes this Jimmy Cliff song her own.)
Other worthy contender: One Evening-Feist
2004: My #1 song pick: Almost-Sarah Harmer
(One of 2004's most compelling, energetic hooks, and you don't usually hear it played on the radio anymore.)
Other worthy contender: Better After All-Jonatha Brooke
